As I grow older and as I get to know more people and see more things, the feeling of personal insignificance increases. The growing knowledge of my ignorance is humbling.

I am but a frog in a well, seeing only a patch of sky. I have asked myself before in the past if I would ever jump out of this well. However, over time, I have stopped asking this question. Why? I wonder if I really want to jump out of this well. I have everything I need in this well and I am protected from predators. Perhaps, what I need is just a bigger well so that I can see a larger patch of sky. Better to be a happy and healthy frog in a larger well than to be a frog freely hopping in the open and be in constant danger of being preyed upon?Is this a bad thing, to be contented? Or perhaps I am just growing apathetic with age? Could it be wisdom as some told me that with age comes wisdom? I am not so sure since my usual rejoinder is that this is not always true.

8
comments:

Anonymous
said...

Hi AK,

I guess we are in the same age group - I'm in my late 30s. I have had the same feeling of "growing knowledge of my ignorance" too. It came as I received a significant promotion from the company which I'd been working for 10 years. First job.

But I chose to leave to broaden my experiences on the personal and career fronts rather than stay on when my career prospects looked ever brighter cos I was not learning much more. It was getting too comfortable and once that happens, the inertia + age + family /financial commitments make one immobile. I didn't want to be stuck one day, so I left Sg with my family of 4 to pursue an academic PhD in the field I loved.

There's not much money in that field though and the career prospects with oversupply of PhD's isn't exactly very bright. But I felt it was impt to always be learning and learning what I love, and not be satisfied with being in a comfort zone. Cos the well might dry up one day or one might long for a broader view of the sky eventually and find that the window has passed for one to get out of the well.

I admire your spirit and courage to leave your comfort zone to pursue your interests. This is especially admirable when I realise that you have a family to care for as well. It has to be a major decision with some serious considerations.

Once upon a time, I thought of doing a Masters Degree. I had all the paperwork done and was accepted by NUS. I pulled out in the end due to practical considerations. I wonder how I would have turned out if I had gone ahead with that course. There isn't much money in that field as well. ;)

One day, I might return to my first love but that day is not here yet.

From your comment, I could sense your happiness with your decision. I am happy for you and I wish you the very best in your research work.

hello bro! we both also year of the piggy...hahah... pity i learnt stock investing the hard way - contra/buy on rumours/margin; went down in flames... so right now its slow and steady, carry out FA...my TA still sucks lah...... Fortunately i enjoy my work right now with balance also...got time to fiddle with US mkts.... and read your blogs! lol

Wisdom to tap on.

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